BEg2 chapter 1 “proof box”, extruder, Queens auto parts

[Michael Bailey]

“…Maxine returns an anxious call from a whistle-blower at a snack-food
company over in Jersey which has been secretly negotiating with
ex-employees of Krispy Kreme for the illegal purchase of top-secret
temperature and humidity settings on the donut purveyor’s “proof box,”
along with equally classified photos of the donut extruder, which however
now seem to be Polaroids of auto parts taken years ago in Queens,
Photoshopped and whimsically at that.”

https://www.donut-equipment.com/collections/donut-proofer

“ A donut proofer is a critical component in any operation making donuts,
a donut proofer is specifically designed to provide the baker with the
perfect environment to achieve the best donuts possible. Proofing is the
final step in making dough before baking or frying, when you allow the
dough to rise via the fermentation of yeast.

How does a proofer work? Dough rises best in warm and humid environments, a
commercial proofer cabinet will allow you to set the perfect temperature
and humidity levels to get consistent, repeatable results. A bread proofer
will typically not have as precise of humidity monitoring as a donut
proofer. Donuts require a high level of moisture (70% in most cases) Bread
typically requires warmth but lower humidity. Low temp heating cabinets
will work fine for bread but will create inconsistency with donuts.

“Yeast cells die at 140 degrees Fahrenheit and grow significantly less at
temperatures under 68 degrees Fahrenheit. So while the ideal proofing
temperature will vary from item to item, a commercial dough proofer or
bread proofing cabinet will typically allow you to adjust the temperature
from 70-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Proofing inside a room that is at 70
degrees will cause slow fermentation and dead yeast cells, resulting in a
low rise and crust on the outside of the donut.”


Donut extruder -

https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/krispy-kreme.htm

“
The proprietary extruder machine was the one piece of equipment that Krispy
Kreme wouldn't let us photograph”



Polaroids of auto parts in Queens

- there’s a likely picture https://joesautowrecker.com/blog/

Not of the period but -
https://qns.com/2018/07/grandson-mob-boss-john-gotti-busted-illegally-operating-queens-auto-junkyard/

Apparently there are lots of auto parts places in Queens
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/nyregion/home-is-where-the-auto-parts-are.html